Most recent activity
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Just checked my results page on AUK and my Isle of Wight perm has been validated. Woo hoo. That brings me up to 39 points so just one more to go for 40@40. Still on course for a double parallel rrty but still have another 7 months of doubles to go. Flatlands next and a chance to try out my new Carradice Super C rack pack. And a 600 on fixed.
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Here is the route that I used. http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=mfvuhhfjyibesuys
Didn't do a route check before the ride but aside from one or two nasty intersections it's pretty much all lanes and has lots of long steady descents. The island isn't too hilly but is lumpy in that even though the climbs aren't challenging there are lots of them. Views are amazing and it's clockwise so if you manage to get there early enough you can follow the sun. The sunset from Yarmouth was quite spectacular. Probably why we missed the ferry. On the way down it passes via the same 'cheese on toast' cafe that was used on the Cogidubnus ride.There is a lot of building work going on at Portsmouth Harbour so can be confusing. Don't go this weekend though as there is a big scooter rally going on.
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Rode a DIY perm on Wednesday from mine to the Isle of Wight and then round the island. Rode with a friend who was keen to go along the coastal route and that made it massively over distance for a 200 at 238km. For some reason I hadn't taken this into account and the extra time for the ferry. So it was more like 15hours. Missed the last train from Portsmouth. My friend got a room and I decided to ride back through the night. Used the return leg of the Cogidubnus which was still on my Etrex. Quite a hilly route but it was a pleasantly warm night with close to zero traffic. Lack of food and drink made it harder. Going to submit my track but pretty sure that it won't validate. Ah well. Lovely ride though.
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Bet that van was a welcome sight. Sounds like a really good ride.
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Who else is going for the 40 @ 40 badge? I've got 29 points so far and once the Buzzard has validated it'll be 35. Raglan Castle this weekend (unless this sniffle turns into something) then Cogidubnus in August would make it 39. Seems like I'm pretty close.
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That was a hard 300. Really struggled especially in the second section with the headwinds. Fighting the dozies (perhaps beer before the ride wasn't such a good idea) and toothache nearly the whole ride. More than 18h as opposed to my usual 15-16h. Still, you're allowed up to 20h so all good and meant I had more riding hours in the sunshine. Slept in a field for a short while once it was warmer which did help a bit.
Have had a taste of the headwinds in the Fens now ready for the Flatlands 600 in September.
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I like the rackpack idea as it's in the middle rather than the side so won't catch the wind. My fixie is also my commuting bike so a rackpack would suit both purposes quite well. The thing I find with having a pannier is that I overload it, so rather than 2-3kg it ends up being more 5-6kg. Stuff I carry for my commute often ends up staying in there when I don't need it for an audax. Heavy d-lock for example.
I borrowed a 'fuel-tank' behind head tube snack holder but it's rectangular rather than curved and hence I bump into it when getting out of the saddle. Then it annoyingly twists off to the side. So I need a better one of those too.
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Thanks. Yes, that's my SR done. I'm going to count this Friday's ride as a 200 even though it's 300 and then Flatlands 600 in September for my SFW. Heard that it has a lot of headwinds so am considering clip-on aero bars (which I've never used before) and also losing the rack / pannier with one of these bike packing saddle bags.
Independent bicycle wheel builder since 2004. Rides audax. Teaches yoga and does web dev.